Community Centers

The City of Gainesville owns and maintains a variety of community facilities that serve to enhance the quality of life in the Gainesville community. Many of the facilities are utilized for neighorhood meetings, recreational opportunities, nature conservation, and other positive activities. Read more about each facility from the list below, if additional information is needed please contact our Administrative Office at 352-334-5067.

Center Rental Hours
If you are interested in renting one of our centers, you may visit the Historic Thomas Center, Bldg. B, 3rd Floor, at 306 NE 6th Avenue, to fill out a rental application.
Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 am–2 pm.

** Times are subject to change by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department for programs, holidays, and other department needs at any time. All City Facilities are closed on City designated holidays. The Centers will try to give as much notice as possible of changes but does not guarantee notice of changes to operational hours.

If you are interested in renting the Historic Thomas Center and Gardens, Bldg. A. located at 302 NE 6th Avenue, you may visit their website or contact Erica Chatman at 352-393-8539 for additional information.

Park Usage

We receive numerous calls regarding park usage and reservations. If you are planning on hosting your child's birthday party or a small gathering (30 people or fewer) at a park or at a park pavillion there is no reservation necessary, it's on a "first come, first serve" basis unless you plan on renting a bounce house, offering pony rides, etc., then a Park Request is necessary.

For a large event, fundraising, use of a bounce house, pony rides, etc...a Park Request-Information Sheet is required. Please read the cover letter, and the City Ordinance No. 041020, Section 18-20, "Prohibitied activites" and submit the necessary documentation for your event along with the Park Request-Information Sheet. For events using tents larger than an 10 x 10, a tent permit will need to be submitted to the Building Inspection Department at the Thomas Center, Building B, 1st floor. Additional documentation may be required once the park request is received and reviewed.

NOTE: The park reservation process DOES NOT guarantee a pavilion or designated space for your group. Our intent is to encourage everyone to keep us informed of intended park usage for large groups and special events in order to help alleviate conflicts. The parks and pavilions are used on a first-come-first-serve basis.

If you plan to use city streets and/or sidewalks or if you are requesting a noise permit, you must ALSO contact Gainesville Police Department to complete a Special Event Permit application at 352-393-7520.

Recreation Facilities

Gainesville/Alachua County Senior Recreation Center

For current rental information, please call 352-265-9040 or click here.

Center hours: 8:00 am–5:00pm, but weekend and evening hours available for rentals.

For current program information and pricing please call the Administrative Office: (352) 334-5067

Recreation Center: Herman Smith, Recreation Aide II (352) 334-2714

Hours are typically Monday through Friday 9:00 am until 7:30 pm, but do vary upon season, please contact us for our current building hours. Evening and weekend times outside of normal business hours are available for rentals.

Fred Cone Park Track and Field Facility located at 2841 E. University Avenue: This eight-lane, competition-quality, 440-meter track and interior field includes field event areas such as the pole vault, shot put, high jump and long jump and includes a multi-purpose field on the interior of the track. Two new basketball courts are located in the southeast portion of the park. The new restroom facility operates on timed locks, which open from 7 am to 9 pm, seven days a week.